Saint Petersburg history

The history of Saint Petersburg is the story of an ambitious project that changed the face of Russia. The city, which emerged by the will of one man, quickly turned into a majestic capital and the centre of the country's cultural, political, and economic life for two full centuries.

Foundation and First Mentions

The city was founded by Emperor Peter I on May 16 (27), 1703. At the height of the Great Northern War with Sweden, construction of a fortress began on reclaimed lands at the mouth of the Neva River, on Hare Island. Initially, it received the Dutch name Sankt-Pieter-Burch in honour of the Holy Apostle Peter, the Tsar's patron saint. This fortress, later named the Peter and Paul Fortress, became the core of the future city.

Key Factors of Development

• Geographical Location: Strategic access to the Baltic Sea was Peter I's main goal. The city was conceived as a "Window to Europe," a maritime gateway for trade and the naval fleet.
• Political Will: As early as 1712, just nine years after its foundation, Peter I moved the capital of Russia here from Moscow. The Senate, all government institutions, and foreign embassies were transferred to the new city.
• Trade and Economy: From the very beginning, Saint Petersburg developed as a major trading port and industrial centre. The construction of the Admiralty Shipyard laid the foundation for the creation of a powerful Baltic Fleet. Thousands of craftsmen and merchants were forcibly relocated to the city from all over the country to accelerate economic growth.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Unlike old Russian cities, Saint Petersburg was built according to a pre-approved European plan with straight avenues, canals for draining swamps, and strict architectural regulations. Renowned foreign architects, such as Domenico Trezzini and Jean-Baptiste Le Blond, were engaged to work on the city, creating its unique appearance. The city became a centre not only of political but also of cultural life, where European customs, fashion, and social assemblies were introduced, and by the end of the 18th century, it had transformed into one of the largest and most beautiful cities in Europe.

Key Dates in History

• 1703: On May 27, the Peter and Paul Fortress is founded by Peter I — the day of Saint Petersburg's foundation.
• 1712: The city officially becomes the capital of the Russian state; the royal court and government institutions move here.
• 1724: By decree of Peter I, the Academy of Sciences is established, securing the city's status as the country's scientific centre.
• 1825: On December 14 (26), the Decembrist revolt takes place on Senate Square — the first open attempt by noble revolutionaries to change the state system.
• 1837: The Tsarskoye Selo Railway, the first in Russia, is opened, connecting the capital with Tsarskoye Selo.
• 1851: Railway communication between Saint Petersburg and Moscow is launched, marking an important step in the empire's economic development.
• 1914: With the outbreak of the First World War, the city is renamed Petrograd amidst anti-German sentiment.
• 1917: Petrograd becomes the centre of the February and October Revolutions, which led to the fall of the monarchy and the rise of the Bolsheviks to power.
• 1918: The capital is moved from Petrograd back to Moscow.
• 1924: After the death of V. I. Lenin, the city is renamed Leningrad.
• 1941–1944: The city survived the 872-day Siege (Blockade) during the Great Patriotic War (World War II) — one of the most tragic and heroic periods in its history.
• 1955: The first line of the Leningrad Metro is opened.
• 1991: Following a referendum, the city is returned to its historical name — Saint Petersburg.
• 2003: The city celebrated its 300th anniversary on a grand scale, confirming its status as one of the world's most important cultural centres.

Stages of Saint Petersburg's Development

The history of Saint Petersburg is a continuous chain of transformations that turned the city from an imperial capital into a modern metropolis. Each historical period left its unique mark on its architecture, economy, and culture.

• Foundation and Establishment of the Capital (18th Century)

  From its foundation in 1703, the city developed according to a European model. The transfer of the capital in 1712 gave a powerful impulse to urban planning: straight avenues were laid out according to a unified plan, and canals and administrative buildings were constructed. During this period, the foundations of Petersburg as Russia's political, maritime, and trade centre were laid.

• The "Golden Age" of Catherine II (Second Half of the 18th Century)

  The Age of Enlightenment brought cultural flourishing and a monumental appearance to the city. The Hermitage and the Academy of Arts were founded, the Neva embankments were clad in granite, and strict Classicism reigned in architecture. The city firmly established its status as one of the most brilliant capitals of Europe.

• Industrial Revolution (19th Century)

  The nineteenth century was a time of rapid economic growth. The opening of the Tsarskoye Selo (1837) and Nikolaevskaya (1851) railways turned Petersburg into the empire's main transport hub. Factories and plants grew along the Obvodny Canal and on the outskirts; the city became the centre of Russian mechanical engineering and metalworking.

• The Silver Age and Revolutionary Upheavals (Early 20th Century)

  By the beginning of the 20th century, Saint Petersburg was not only the largest industrial centre but also the focus of cultural and political life. This period gave the world avant-garde art and literature, but at the same time, the city became the arena of powerful social conflicts that led to the revolutions of 1917 and the subsequent loss of capital status in 1918.

• Soviet Period: Leningrad

  Despite the transfer of the capital to Moscow, the city remained a crucial industrial, scientific, and cultural centre of the USSR. After the severe trials of the Siege (1941–1944), Leningrad was restored. Mass housing construction was carried out during this period, new residential districts were formed, and in 1955 the first metro line opened, radically changing the city's transport system.

• Modern Stage (Since 1991)

  The return of the historical name in 1991 marked a new stage. Large-scale restoration of historical buildings and monuments began. Alongside this, major infrastructure projects are being implemented, such as the construction of the Western High-Speed Diameter, new bridges, and the "Lakhta Center" business district, which are shaping the modern appearance of Saint Petersburg as a dynamically developing metropolis.

The architecture of Saint Petersburg is a unique phenomenon reflecting three centuries of Russian history. The city was built according to a unified plan, which allowed for the creation of harmonious ensembles despite the change of eras and styles. Each historical milestone has left its inimitable mark on the appearance of the Northern Capital.

Petrine Baroque (First Quarter of the 18th Century)

The initial stage of the city's development is associated with the name of Peter I and the style known as Petrine Baroque. Unlike lavish European Baroque, this style was characterized by restraint, practicality, and the influence of Dutch and North German architecture. The main architect of this period was Domenico Trezzini. Key structures include the Peter and Paul Cathedral with its famous spire, the Twelve Collegia Building, and the Summer Palace of Peter I.

Elizabethan Baroque (Mid-18th Century)

During the reign of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, architecture acquired a completely different character. Petrine severity was replaced by the lush and ceremonial Elizabethan Baroque, close to Rococo. The main creator of this style was Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli. His masterpieces defined the grand appearance of the imperial capital: the grandiose Winter Palace, the sky-blue Smolny Cathedral, and the magnificent Grand Catherine Palace in Tsarskoye Selo.

Classicism and Empire Style (Second Half of the 18th – First Third of the 19th Century)

With the rise of Catherine II to power, Baroque splendour was replaced by strict and harmonious Classicism, oriented towards ancient models. This style, which also developed during the era of Alexander I (Russian Empire style), formed entire city ensembles. Iconic buildings became the Academy of Arts (arch. J.-B. Vallin de la Mothe), the monumental Admiralty building (arch. A. Zakharov), and the majestic Kazan Cathedral (arch. A. Voronikhin). The pinnacle of this period is considered to be the ensembles created by Carlo Rossi — Palace Square with the General Staff Building and Architect Rossi Street.

Eclecticism and Art Nouveau (Second Half of the 19th – Early 20th Century)

In this period, architects began to mix elements of different historical styles, which became known as Eclecticism. In the late 19th century, it was replaced by the elegant and decorative Modern (Art Nouveau). This style rejected strict symmetry in favour of flowing, natural lines and the use of new materials such as metal and glass. Vivid examples of Art Nouveau in Petersburg are the Singer House (today the House of Books) on Nevsky Prospect, the Vitebsk Railway Station, and the Eliseevsky Store.

Soviet and Modern Architecture (20th–21st Centuries)

In the Soviet period, the architectural landscape of Leningrad was enriched with buildings in the style of Constructivism, characterized by strict geometry and functionality (for example, the Kirov District Council). Later, monumental Stalinist Neoclassicism became dominant, a bright representative of which is the House of Soviets on Moskovskaya Square. In the later Soviet era, iconic modernist objects appeared, such as the "Pulkovo-1" airport and the "houses on legs" on the Novosmolenskaya Embankment. In the newest period, alongside the careful restoration of the historical centre, ultra-modern landmarks are appearing, the most famous of which is the "Lakhta Center" skyscraper.

Distinguished Personalities Associated with the City

Throughout its history, Saint Petersburg has been a centre of attraction for the most talented people of Russia. Monarchs who changed the course of history, brilliant writers, world-renowned scientists, and great composers lived and worked here. Their legacy is inextricably linked with the soul and image of the city.

• Peter I the Great (1672–1725) — the founder of the city and the first Russian Emperor. His will and energy transformed a swampy area into a new capital and a "Window to Europe," defining Russia's destiny for centuries to come.
• Catherine II the Great (1729–1796) — the Empress whose reign is called the "Golden Age" of Petersburg. Under her, the city was adorned with granite embankments, the Hermitage and the Academy of Arts were founded, and the capital acquired brilliance and monumentality.
• Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin (1799–1837) — the greatest Russian poet, whose life and work are closely connected with Petersburg. The city became the setting for many of his works, including the poem "The Bronze Horseman."
• Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky (1821–1881) — a writer who deeply explored the human soul against the backdrop of the gloomy and majestic scenery of Petersburg. The city is a full-fledged "character" in his novels, such as "Crime and Punishment."
• Dmitri Ivanovich Mendeleev (1834–1907) — a genius chemist and creator of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements. For many years, he taught at Saint Petersburg University, where he made his main discovery.
• Anna Andreyevna Akhmatova (1889–1966) — one of the greatest poetesses of the Silver Age. Her life and work became a symbol of the tragic history of the city in the 20th century, including repressions and the Siege, which was reflected in the poem "Requiem."
• Dmitri Dmitrievich Shostakovich (1906–1975) — an outstanding composer of the 20th century. His famous Symphony No. 7 ("Leningrad"), written in the besieged city, became a musical symbol of the courage and resilience of its residents during the Siege.